An inverted trough stretched into the Red River Valley, from a low pressure system passing through the central plains.  The precipitation began as a mixture of rain and freezing rain, falling quite heavily at times.  The most freezing rain fell across southeast North Dakota and portions of west central Minnesota, although lighter amounts did fall further north.  Trees and powerlines became weighted down with up to an inch of ice in places.  As temperatures cooled and wind speeds increased, powerlines started to gallop and break in great numbers.  Richland County in North Dakota and Wilkin County in Minnesota were hit the hardest from the freezing rain and power outages.  Thousands of people lost power as several thousand wooden power poles were snapped.  Additionally, one high voltage transmission line in southeast North Dakota was broken.  Roads were blocked by fallen trees, branches, and powerlines.  Many vehicle accidents and several injuries were reported due to the treacherous road conditions.  The wind speeds increased around the noon hour on monday (11-28-05) causing blizzard conditions across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota.  Whiteout conditions continued into tuesday morning (11-29-05).  Many schools were closed on both monday and tuesday, especially along and south of Interstate 94 in North Dakota and U.S. Highway 10 in Minnesota.  For many schools, these were the first back-to-back day closures since the record winter of 1996-97.  Interstate 29 was closed from Fargo to the South Dakota border, Interstate 94 was closed from Jamestown to Fergus Falls, and U.S. Highway 10 was closed from Moorhead to Detroit Lakes.  Wilkin County reported 70 power poles down in one four mile stretch.  Clay, Norman, and Wilkin Counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.  The Governor of Minnesota sent National Guard troops and generators to Wolverton in northern Wilkin County.

Winter Storm in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in WEST MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in NORTH CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in WEST POLK, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in NORTH BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in EAST MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in RED LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in SOUTH BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in EAST POLK, MINNESOTA
From 27-NOV-05 12:29:00 to 29-NOV-05 05:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.